​June 20, 2017 -- In observance of Bloomsday, the anniversary of the day the literary masterpiece Ulysses takes place, more than two dozen local literati turned out for the Sea Cliff Civic Association's James Joyce Jaunt this past June 16. Adapted for the Sea Cliff “stage” by residents Fred Stroppel and Dan DiPietro, and directed by Mr. Stroppel, the performance provided the audience with a retelling of Leopold Bloom’s passage through the city of Dublin on June 16, 1904 that parallels that of Homer’s hero Odysseus (Ulysses in Latin) during his ten year journey home in the epic Greek poem.

Gathering in the early evening at the Sea Cliff water tower at Roslyn and 9th Avenues, representing Marcello tower - the opening location of Ulysses, Mr. Stroppel, as narrator, and Mr. DiPietro, playing the role of Leopold Bloom, introduced the novel, and the opening scene was acted out, before the audience was led down Sea Cliff Avenue to the Children’s Library, where the performance continued and Mr. Stroppel offered background to scenes and their connection to the Odyssey.

Interspersed were musical interludes performed by Joe Hughes, John Canning, and Sara Reres.

Although none quite like those that have been held in Sea Cliff, cities and towns around the world hold Bloomsday celebrations every June 16 to honor the author of the book that many consider to be the greatest novel ever written.

This is the fifth year the James Joyce Society of Sea Cliff has performed a public celebration of Bloomsday, and the second year that it has been presented in this form.